IN BRIEF . . .

Two homes in Dublin's commuter belt either side of €400,000.

Newcastle: from €385,000

Two, three and four-bedroom houses are on show daily this week at Aylmer Heath, an attractive development of 113 houses off Main Street, Newcastle, Co Dublin.

Clondalkin agency Hibernian Auctioneers is taking bookings for 43 townhouses in phase one of Aylmer Heath, which will be ready to move into from September onwards. Five showhouses are open for viewing.

Prices are competitive. Two-bedroom terraced houses of 82sq m (880sq ft) start at €385,000. Three-bedroom terraced houses of 103-106sq m (1,113-1,150sq ft) cost from €415,000 to €425,000. Four-bedroom houses of 142-149sq m (1,530-1,605sq ft) are from €570,000 to €585,000.

The brick and render houses are traditional in design, with private seeded back gardens and planting and parking to the front. Buyers have a choice of kitchen designs and all come with a steel extractor, but without other appliances. Wall tiling is standard in kitchens and bathrooms. Wardrobes are included and most main bedrooms have an en suite shower. Heating is gas.

The location is convenient for commuters, with Hazelhatch train station down the road and a good road network in the area. A crèche will be provided on the estate, which will also have generous open spaces for residents' use.

Earlier schemes by developer Knightstone include Golden Ridge in Rush, Pheasant Run in Clonee, Grange Manor in Lucan and Tyrellstown in Dublin 15.

Dunshaughlin: from €405,000

The fast-growing Co Meath village of Dunshaughlin looks set to continue to attract Dublin commuters with the launch this weekend of a stylish new housing development.

Crannog, a scheme of 50 three and four-bedroom homes on the edge of the village, will appeal largely to families trading up from apartments and smaller homes in places like Blanchardstown, Clonee and Clonsilla.

Prices will start at €405,000 for three-bedroom terraced houses which have floor areas of 119.9sq m (1,291sq ft). End-of-terrace versions of the same house will cost an additional €15,000. Four-bed semis will vary slightly in size but those with 143.7sq m (1,547sq ft) will be available at €489,000. At the top end of the market, four-bed detached homes of 142.6sq m (1,536sq ft) start at €579,500.

The houses are being built by a local firm, Flynn Developments, who have taken particular pride in the high quality finish, including bathrooms, wardrobes and fitted kitchen units. Heating will be provided by mains gas. Front gardens come with hedges and railings.

Dunshaughlin will greatly benefit from the opening of the M3 motorway which is due to be built in the next few years. The village is also located within a few miles of Killeen Castle which is to have a top-class hotel and golf course.